Alaska News and Views-It's About Energy  

Show Notes

• Archived Blog Post

  Date / Time: 9/12/2008 5:32 AM UTC

  Brutal Honesty:
  

  In her first solo interview since being named John McCain's Vice Presidential running mate, Governor Sarah Palin answered questions from ABC's Charlie Gibson about a wide range of issues.

  We take a look at some of her answers concerning experience and economic development and offer some thoughts.

  GIBSON: But this is not just reforming a government. This is also running a government on the huge international stage in a very dangerous world. When I asked John McCain about your national security credentials, he cited the fact that you have commanded the Alaskan National Guard and that Alaska is close to Russia. Are those sufficient credentials?

  PALIN: But it is about reform of government and it's about putting government back on the side of the people, and that has much to do with foreign policy and national security issues.

  Classic glittering generalities.

  After all, what does reforming government and putting government back on the side of the people actually mean?

  On August 23, 2006 after the Republican primary this was on a local blog, "how did Sarah Palin get 50% of the vote against John Binkley and Frank Murkowski when for the last seven months she has actually said very little about the issues and answered even fewer questions?"

  Ironically, this is Palin's greatest strength and although these types of nebulous statements drive policy wonks crazy, the average voters eats them up. Lets face it, who's not for reforming government and bringing power back to the people?

  However Palin's response to Gibson about putting government back on the side of the people seems to mean adopting a populist approach to foreign policy. What does that mean given that a recent CNN poll showed 64% of Americans opposed the war in Iraq?

  And to address the qualifications that McCain touted about Palin; obviously being close to Russia doesn't translate into experience but commanding the Alaskan National Guard just might.

  So how is the ANG doing under Palin's watch? 

  In a March 1, 2008 memo from Brig. Gen. Deborah McManus, she wrote "personnel strength levels continue to decline and is just slighty above 81%, the lowest in the nation, aggressive action must immediately be taken to correct this manpower problem. Missions are at risk."    

  PALIN: Let me speak specifically about a credential that I do bring to this table, Charlie, and that's with the energy independence that I've been working on for these years as the governor of this state that produces nearly 20 percent of the U.S. domestic supply of energy, that I worked on as chairman of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, overseeing the oil and gas development in our state to produce more for the United States.

  Over the last twenty months as governor, energy independence has meant sending a one time payment of $1,200 per person to Alaskans from oil revenue. Her adminsitration has done little more than signing legislation that raised taxes on oil production.

  In addition, Palin served less than a year on the Alaska Oil & Gas Conservation Commission, after being appointed as a campaign payoff for helping Governor Frank Murkowski get elected in 2002.

  On Feburary 20, 2003 the Fairbanks Daily News Miner in an op/ed entitled "Honestly Governor" wrote:

  This is what Gov. Frank Murkowski didn't say:

  "Sarah Palin is a solid Alaska Republican, worked hard for me during my campaign for governor and is a quick learner."

  Instead, in appointing the former Wasilla mayor and lieutenant governor candidate to a $118,000-a-year seat on the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission the governor said simply that she was "well qualified."

  Really?

  The commission was set up, according to its mission statement, "to protect the public interest in exploration and development of oil and gas resources, ensuring conservation practices, and maximum ultimate recovery, while protecting health, safety, the environment, and property rights."

  The governor said he chose Palin for this job because she has "an extraordinary record in local government."

  But what does that have to do with oil and gas?

  Meanwhile the Alaska Department of Revenue oil production dipped from 724,564 barrels per day in July 2007 to 648,538 barrels per day in July 2008. And as the New York Times reported today and we have blogged about for the last year, the governor's natural gas pipeline proposal is truly a pipeline to nowhere.  

  When you look closely, that credential Palin speaks about -energy independence- needs a closer look. 

   

  Back up data:

  Fairbanks Daily News Miner op/ed:
  http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/sep/01/03-20-02----honestly-governor/

  Full transcript of Gibson/Palin interview:

  http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=5782924&page=1

  Letter from Brig. Gen. McManus: Click attachment on bottom of blog

  New York Times on the gas pipeline:

  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/11/us/politics/11pipeline.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=todayspaper&adxnnlx=1221112826-nbIMy5vcExCtisrdXm2PNg

  • Tags:
  • Palin
  • Andrew Halcro
  • Gibson
  • investigation
  • abuse of power
  • Permalink

Comments

Syrin 9/12/2008 4:44 PM UTC Watching Sarah's "staged" interview was a very sickening process. It seemed as though every time she was presented with a question regarding her credentials and experience, she answered by saying she is a "REFORMER". It was almost as if Charlie was pulling a string on her back and a recorded reply of "I am a reformer" would get touted out of her lipstick covered mouth. He never pressed her on exactly what reforms she proposes for the US foreign policy and the US economy, or for that matter any "plan" for any reform. Reform would be great, if only it were a true basis of action with a well coordinated plan, rather than an empty political soundbite. From Sarah's history, I don't see any real reform of government through her actions, abuse and a new crop of corruption is all Sarah has provided. She has demonstrated a clear pattern of making her decisions based on improving her image (with little true altruistic thought about improving the lives of her fellow Alaskans let alone AMERICANS). She is stereo sound with no tune.

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